Face 2 Face Sessions

Cohort 21 3rd F-to-F Reflections

Written by Tim Nahachewsky

The third face to face session today made me think of new possibilities to my action plan. My originating action plan (established during the second face to face session) was to create a social intelligence learning environment with a social justice slant. I have since decided upon establishing a classroom environment that simulates a working office. The change in environment would match an out of school working environment where students come to work to complete scheduled tasks. The tasks would be based upon projects and solving problems. The problems and projects are to be based upon real world situations that also align with curricular expectations. The idea is to also make the learning more integrative horizontally across the curriculum. Also, to incorporate the idea of soft skills development within a work environment.

I am currently working on how to assess the soft skill development as well as social justice. I realize now that a backward design process may not be the most appropriate means to the end that perhaps a simultaneous process to assessment design become more appropriate. I will get students to input their ideas and collaborate with others on the development of the tools for assessment.

It will take me time to further develop the idea and plan to implement at the beginning of next school year. I will start getting student input in February to see where this can go. I will also start collaborating with other colleagues as well. Hmmm, interesting.

7 thoughts on “Cohort 21 3rd F-to-F Reflections”

  1. Hey Tim,
    Wow, you’ve got a lot going on with your action plan! I like the idea of a project-based learning #pbl approach with a focus on social justice and skills. What sorts of assessments do you have in place for Learning Skills? Are those the soft skills you mention in your post?

    @jweening is also looking at PBL so be sure to check out her blog as she launches into her action plan and reach out on Twitter to share resources.

    If you’re ever feeling overwhelmed and want to touch base, don’t be afraid to Tweet, Hangout or email any of the facilitators or coaches. I’d be happy to be a sounding board for what is sure to be an exciting action plan!

  2. Hi Tim,
    I’m just catching up on some blog reading and realized that I should share my friend Eric’s work with you. A few years ago, he set up his classroom like a business, and called it the Classroom Economy. Students received a “salary” and could get “bonuses” for particular tasks, such as completing reach ahead questions, or helping their peers, or contributing to positive discussions in the classroom. They could then use their “money” to purchase rewards such as extensions on assignments. It worked out pretty well, and he writes about it here: http://www.goodnewstoronto.ca/2011/11/student-investment-in-their-classroom-learning/
    Looking forward to hearing about your plans this went!
    Les

    1. Hi,

      It has been a long time but I am back and ready to contribute. Thanks for the link and read. It is interesting to read about what others have done. I think that I am going to work the idea into a classroom first as a project based idea. I am currently having the grade 6 students work on an invention convention. Also, with Earth Week, we are launching the idea of growing our own salad for June so that the entire community can eat it at a culminating school event. The idea came from a colleague (Tyler Meakin) to compost and create our own soil. We are bringing (me included) are starting to bring people (community members) together to use the soil to plant seeds and grow our own salad. Kind of going full circle. We are starting small and we will see where this goes. Kind of along the lines of social justice and making a positive impact on environment and people.

      Thanks again for your help.

      P.S. I am working on a presentation currently and will send it tomorrow to Garth. I will not be able to be there on Friday as Earth Week is important for this new initiative.

      All the best,

      Tim Nahachewsky

      1. Tim,

        What inspiring ideas you have! I can only imagine how fantastic that salad is going to be…grown with love, amazing intentions and acts of kindness for others! Please tweet out your salad adventures as I’d love to follow this plan as it grows. (I couldn’t help it. I needed one pun. I’m an English teacher. It’s in our blood.)

        All the best on Friday. We will miss you!

        Danielle

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